FCC launches new health IT taskforce

This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the creation of a Commission Taskforce focused on identifying barriers to wireless health adoption and building partnerships with industry stakeholders.

Chaired by Michele Ellison, the CONNECT2HEALTHFCC Task Force will combine expertise on broadband, advanced technology and health. Ms. Ellison will work closely with Matthew Quinn, Director of Health Care Initiatives, Commission leadership, the Chiefs of the Wireline and Wireless Bureaus and the Office of Engineering and Technology.

Upon the announcement of the Task Force’s inception, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said, “The Commission’s top priority must be to make networks work for everyone. Broadband itself is not the goal – it’s what broadband enables. We must leverage all available technologies to ensure that advanced health care solutions are readily accessible to all Americans, from rural and remote areas to underserved inner cities. By identifying regulatory barriers and incentives and building stronger partnerships with stakeholders in the areas of tele-health, mobile applications, and tele-medicine, we can expedite this vital shift.”